Food and Nutrition Security Quiz (FINAL ROUND)

EASY (1 point)
Question #1.
This term describes a condition resulting from a diet in which nutrients are either not enough or are too much, leading to health problems

Answer explanation

Malnutrition encompasses both undernutrition (stunting, wasting, underweight, micronutrient deficiencies) and overnutrition (overweight, obesity).

EASY (1 point)
Question #2.

The theme 'Sa PPAN' is a broad framework outlining the country's strategic directions for nutrition improvement. What do the letters P.P.A.N. stand for?

Answer explanation

1. The PPAN is the country's multisectoral framework for nutrition improvement, developed and coordinated by the National Nutrition Council.

2. Source: National Nutrition Council (NNC) Official Website.

EASY (1 point)
Question #3.

What vital macronutrient is commonly found in rice, bread, and pasta that serves as the body's primary source of energy, essential for daily activities and bodily functions?

Answer explanation

1. Carbohydrates are organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. They are classified into simple carbohydrates (sugars) and complex carbohydrates (starches and fiber).  Simple carbohydrates: are quickly digested and provide a rapid release of energy, while complex carbohydrates are digested more slowly, offering a more sustained energy release.

2. Source: World Health Organization (WHO) / Department of Health (DOH) Philippines.

EASY (1 point)
Question #4.

What is a simple and ancient food preservation method that involves removing moisture from food to inhibit the growth of microorganisms and extend shelf life, often used for fruits, vegetables, and fish?

Answer explanation

1. Drying is one of the oldest methods of food preservation, reducing water activity to prevent spoilage by bacteria, yeasts, and molds.

2. Source: Department of Agriculture (DA) Philippines / Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

 

EASY (1 point)
Question #5.

What is the specific UN Sustainable Development Goal that aims to 'end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture'?

Answer explanation

1. SDG 2 is a core component of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, highlighting the global commitment to tackling hunger and malnutrition.

2. Source: United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.

AVERAGE (2 points)
Question #1.

What is the visual guide developed by FNRI and DOH that shows the recommended proportion of different food groups on a typical meal plate for Filipinos?

Answer explanation

1. Pinggang Pinoy serves as a simpler, meal-based guide to complement the Daily Nutritional Guide Pyramid for promoting healthy eating habits among Filipinos.

2. Source: Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) - Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

AVERAGE (2 points)
Question #2.

Based on the Republic Act No. 8172 (ASIN Law) of 1995, what essential mineral should be added to salt in the Philippines to address micronutrient malnutrition and its associated health problem as this nutrient helps to prevent goiter and support proper brain development, especially in children?

Answer explanation

1. Iodine deficiency is a major cause of preventable mental impairment. Iodized salt is a key strategy to address this public health issue in the Philippines.

2. Source: Republic Act No. 8172 (ASIN Law) / Department of Health (DOH) Philippines.

AVERAGE (2 points)
Question #3.

This green pigment, essential for photosynthesis in plants, plays a vital role in food production, by capturing light energy to synthesize carbohydrates, making it a cornerstone of nutrition security by enabling the creation of energy-rich compounds. What do we call this green pigment on plant?

Answer explanation

Chlorophyll is the primary pigment in plants responsible for absorbing sunlight during photosynthesis. This process converts light energy into chemical energy, creating glucose (a sugar) and other organic compounds that form the basis of all plant matter. Since plants are the primary producers in most ecosystems, chlorophyll's function is indispensable for the creation of virtually all food we consume, either directly (fruits, vegetables, grains) or indirectly (meat from animals that eat plants). Without chlorophyll, the entire food web would collapse, leading to a catastrophic failure in food and nutrition security globally.

AVERAGE (2 points)
Question #4.

What is the practice of sourcing food locally and directly from farmers, which can ensure freshness, support local economies, and reduce the environmental impact of long-distance food transport?

Answer explanation

1. Farm-to-table initiatives promote sustainable food systems by fostering direct connections between producers and consumers, reducing intermediaries, and encouraging consumption of seasonal produce.

2. Source: Department of Agriculture (DA) Philippines initiatives / various food advocacy groups.

 

DIFFICULT (3 points)
Question #1.
What specific law in the Philippines, implemented in 2019, aims to transform the rice industry by removing limits on rice imports and imposing tariffs, with the goal of lowering rice prices for consumers? This law was recently amended through Republic Act No. 12078 on December 9, 2024, which extended the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) until 2031.

Answer explanation

1. The RTL aimed to address rice inflation and make rice more affordable, but it also had significant impacts on local rice farmers.

2. Source: Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines / Department of Agriculture (DA).